Outdoor Hot Tub?

[hoffmaster]

I was thinking about an outdoor hot tub and have some questions. Your input is appreciated.

1. What is the price range?
2. What maintenance is involved?
3. Who would you recommend for purchase/installation/repair?

[bulldog (Premo)]

Originally Posted by hoffmaster

I was thinking about an outdoor hot tub and have some questions. Your input is appreciated.

1. What is the price range?
2. What maintenance is involved?
3. Who would you recommend for purchase/installation/repair?

1. 5-9k depending on how fancy you want to get.
2. Keep the water clean and regularly check the chemical balance. Requires some minor upkeep.
3. April's Pool and Spa in Charlotte Hall Aprils Pool & Spa

[Chasey_Lane]

Prices vary depending on many factors, but generally you can get a nice hot tub in the $4K - $9K range. I bought mine from Chesapeake Spas. Hot tubs, Spas, Saunas, Outdoor Furniture, Grills - Maryland

In the summer it requires a little more maintenance and chemicals as the sun doesn't play nice with it, but in the winter I have to do very little to keep it clean and healthy. Most people drain their tubs in the summer -- I did for a short while when it got super hot and I knew I wouldn't use the tub.

[Gilligan (Premo)]

All of the above.

I upgraded from a 2-person (could squeeze in 4) to a four-person (can squeeze in 6 or even more if all are good friends..) and found that the larger tub is easier to keep Ph balanced and maintained for some reason.

Also...we have a custom cover made that goes over the insulated top cover that comes with the tub, to protect it from the elements.

Runs year-round 24/7.

[GWguy]

Maintenance is a continual thing. You need to check the water chemistry on a regular basis, especially after use. Check and clean the filter weekly.

Depending on your frequency of use, which chemicals you use and how well you maintain the chemistry will determine how often you need to change the water. Average is 6-8 weeks. and you don't just change the water, you need to scrub the tub out with a non-soap cleaner. Needs to be done even in the dead of winter if the tub is active.

I used lithium hypochlorite for my sanitizer, and it kept the water clearer and more trouble free than either bromine or chlorine. Using a ozonator (usually an add-on) helps a lot.

That all said, it's worth it. I miss my tub. Bought it in '86, decommissioned it 2 years ago.

[vince77]

Had a 6 person tub for about 5 years. Enjoyed it, but the longer I owned it, the less I used it. They're expensive to own. Add about $30-50 a month to your electric bill this time of year. Top needed to be replaced every 3 years...$300...

[Gilligan (Premo)]

Originally Posted by vince77

Top needed to be replaced every 3 years...$300...

That's why the custom marine canvas cover is on ours....so the top will last long time.

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by GWguy

Check and clean the filter weekly.

Or more if you lay a snail in it.

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by MMDad

Or more if you lay a snail in it.

Can't begin to tell you what I've found in there over the years....

[imaref]

Make sure you get a 220 volt tub and not a 120 volt tub. For the 200v tub you will need to have an electrician run a separate line to your electric panel (Chesapeake Spas sent an electrician to do that for me). With the 200v tub, it keeps a constant temperature even when you're in the tub using it. Alot of people have the 120v tubs that you can get from large box stores but they take awhile to warm up to temperature, and as soon as you start using it, the temp starts to drop quickly while you're in it. I've had mine for 10 years and the only thing I've had to do besides the chemicals is after 8 years my heater went bad. Chesapeake Spas has a serviceperson that comes to this area and northern Virginia on one day a week so it was easy to have them put in a new one.